Griffith Park
Yesterday morning I did the “loop”, and this was the view I was rewarded with from the Griffith Park Observatory. Riding in Los Angeles, albeit challenging at times, is really an amazing experience.
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BMC Team Machine SLR01
Having in-laws in Switzerland has its advantages. Having in-laws who live just a quick 45 minute drive to BMC headquarters in Grenchen is icing on the cake. The day after I arrived in Switzerland, I drove straight over to BMC to tour the new showroom, and to pick up the new Team Machine SLR01 equipped with Shimano Dura Ace. The showroom is stunning, with an example of every bike in the BMC line on view. The Team Machine, as I learned over my four weeks riding it, is an amazing bicycle. To start, BMC brought the weight down of the new model to a paltry 790 grams (size 56cm), putting it in the top five list of lightest frames available. As built with the Dura Ace gruppo and wheels, the total bike weighs 14.15 lbs. For those inclined, with a change in some basic components, this could easily be a sub 14 lb. bike. Weight aside, the most significant aspect of the Team Machine is the process with which it was designed. BMC employed ACE Technology, short for Accelerated Composites Evolution. This is a computer modeling program that allowed BMC to study 34,000 possible frame configurations to optimize the geometric structure, tube cross-sections, and carbon lay-up. This is a first in the industry, and the result of using the ACE Technology is the SLR01. Getting on a new bike is usually a bit of a mixed blessing. Oftentimes, I need to spend a lot of time adjusting everything so that the fit is just right. In this case, I sent my bike fit from Stephen at Bike Effect (a future post) to BMC in advance. When I arrived at BMC, the bike was completely dialed in. I admit I changed the saddle, as I now travel with pedals and saddle, but everything else stayed put. The bike fit, and it fit perfectly. The next day I did my favorite local turn up to Chasseral. This is a great ride for testing a bike, as there is serious climbing, and seriously fast descending. Climbing was a dream, and the bike pedaled effortlessly up to the summit. The power from my legs was directly transferred to the road. The descent was what I looked forward to after such a climb, and I was not disappointed. The SLR01 simply flew down the road with absolute confidence. I hit speeds that I’ve never achieved on any other bike thus far, and felt quite in control the entire time. This is an incredibly stable platform to conquer any type of riding you wish to do. It is no wonder this bike is winning races the world over. I am fond of BMC, and the Team Machine SLR01 did not disappoint me in any way. This is a top notch bike that owns its place in the BMC lineup.
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Shelter Half Presents An Evening With Argonaut Cycles
For those in Los Angeles, here is the chance to meet Ben Farver of Argonaut Cycles in person. Please join Shelter Half on September 12th for a Q & A with Ben. I am looking forward to seeing the Argonaut bicycle. A beautiful machine indeed. Head over to the Facebook event page as well.
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Suisse
Today I was missing Switzerland a bit, wishing I was in Europe for Eurobike. Then I came across this photo I took while there in July. Now I really am missing Switzerland.
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Catlike Mixino
As most who know me have come to realize, I am a huge fan of Catlike helmets. I had the opportunity to use one from Europe before they became available in the States. I think aesthetically, they are one of the most interesting designs on the market. I always marvel at how recognizable the Catlike Whisper is in the pro peloton. Most of the helmets are interchangeable when looked at from afar, but the Catlike’s good looks make it stand out from the crowd. Comfort is the other reason I haven’t strayed far from Catlike. Many previous helmets have left an indent on my forehead after several hours of use, but the Catlike’s shape seems to fit my head perfectly. When I first heard of the Mixino, I really wasn’t sure what could be improved on the previous model, and worried it was being changed for the sake of change. It turns out my concerns were unfounded. The Mixino is a tremendous upgrade over the Whisper. It is significantly lighter, almost 20 grams on average, than the Whisper. This may strike many as a minute improvement, but when riding for several hours, the lighter the helmet, the more comfortable it is. There are 39 air intakes on the Mixino, similar to the Whisper. The difference is in the positioning. The placement of the vents makes it possible to see through the helmet when looking at it head on. This ultimately translates to better airflow around your head keeping hot temperatures at bay. The adjustment of the helmet is the other big upgrade. There is a micro dial adjustment at the back that is super easy to set. In addition, the two rear supports are individually adjustable. There is also vertical adjustment, and different thickness pads can be used inside the helmet. The Mixino should be able to adjust to almost anyone’s head and be comfortable. There are 8 different color combinations to choose from including my favorite, the matte black. The Catlike Mixino is available directly from Competitive Cyclist as well as your fine local bike shop.
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Blundstone 268
Blundstone, the maker of the iconic elastic sided boot, was founded in 1870. They have spent that time building their reputation by producing some of the finest boots available. The 268 is the latest addition to that legacy, and the big change here are the laces. Most Blundstones are known as pull on boots, so to take a classic and rework it is a bit of a gamble. In this case, the odds were in their favor. These boots are incredibly comfortable, and the laces allow a bit more flexibility in adjusting the fit. They have a crepe sole, and the leather will most certainly age gracefully. As is the case with most Blundstones, these boots will only get better with wear, and I imagine that after a year, the boots will have a perfect finish. I think any product that gets better with age is worth having, and the 268 boot is no exception.
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Fair Wheel Bikes
I came across this image on the Fair Wheel Bikes forum, listed under the 2013 Interbike Sneak Peak Thread. This will be a must see at Interbike. I wonder if the bottom coupler is also Ritchey Breakaway, or if this is a mix with S & S couplers. Beautiful detail work.
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Thule Round Trip Pro
This is interesting. A travel case with an integrated work stand from Thule. It has been recognized with a Eurobike Award.
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Assos @ Eurobike
While in Switzerland, I was able to tour Assos and get a sneak peak of some of their upcoming products. Featured on their Facebook page this morning are some shots from their Eurobike booth featuring some of the products I saw. The jerseys pictured above were some of my favorites. I love the different flags, and I especially like the American jersey. This is odd, as I usually find jerseys emblazoned with the Stars and Stripes not to my liking, but I think Assos has come up with the perfect design to showcase the American flag. Head over to the Assos Facebook page to see more photos of the Eurobike booth.
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Eurobike
Eurobike starts tomorrow for its three day run in Friedrichshafen, Germany. I am eagerly awaiting news of new product releases. If anything interesting comes my way, I will post immediately.
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